Front End Follies

motohorseman · August 06, 2012, 02:06:21 PM

I bought a nice new set of Avon's a while back, and always noticed a little bit of a pull to one side when stopping, I thought it might be a warped rotor, never gave it much thought.

I've notice that at certain speeds, the front end shakes if you let off the handlebars - Many motorcycles just have this trait, and I have told the owner to not take their flipping hands off the handlebars.

No worries, nice new tire - then today, I noticed something strange, WTF! I have a nearly bald spot on the tire - one stop, the rest of the tire is like new, or darn good to say the least.

I noticed it first in the profile - instead of nice and round like the other 90% of the tire, this section is "a concern".

The right side -

I had a closer look, worn to the tread wear indicator and beyond - in this one section of the tire!

I whole little section is worn out - Again, see the right side of the tire

The rest of the tire is like new - with one exception, on the other side there is also a worn spot, although not nearly as bad.

Here is another picture showing the total destruction of the profile, heck, I'm not sure I want to ride on it any more.

I need a tire, that is a given. Steering head bearings feel good, I'm thinking I need to replace the fork oil or ?

Any thoughts, ideas, I want to order parts but in this economy, I need to be as frugal as possible.

I do not feel the rotor pulsing in the hand brake lever, usually I can feel that, and I am not sure that would cause this wear.

Psychic mechanics, your help is appreciated!

soundmindryan · August 06, 2012, 02:38:29 PM

Quote from: motohorseman on August 06, 2012, 02:06:21 PM
I bought a nice new set of Avon's a while back, and always noticed a little bit of a pull to one side when stopping, I thought it might be a warped rotor, never gave it much thought.

How many miles? I had an Avon Storm 2 ST do something similar. Noticed it first by viewing the profile. I chocked it up to slight underinflation although after I began checking pressure more often, the tire still seemed to continue to deteriorate rather quickly. I think, without checking my records, that I got about 12k out of it. Replaced with Michelin Pilot Road 2 and it's wearing much better. My thoughts are it's the tire and not necessarily anything with the bike. But come to think of it, I did a fork rebuild about 4k miles ago but already had probably at least 2k on the tire before doing that. Had a motorcycle mechanic tell me the V-rated tires and above are very sensitive to inflation pressures.

motohorseman · August 06, 2012, 03:12:31 PM

Quote from: soundmindryan on August 06, 2012, 02:38:29 PM
Quote from: motohorseman on August 06, 2012, 02:06:21 PM
I bought a nice new set of Avon's a while back, and always noticed a little bit of a pull to one side when stopping, I thought it might be a warped rotor, never gave it much thought.

How many miles? I had an Avon Storm 2 ST do something similar. Noticed it first by viewing the profile. I chocked it up to slight underinflation although after I began checking pressure more often, the tire still seemed to continue to deteriorate rather quickly. I think, without checking my records, that I got about 12k out of it. Replaced with Michelin Pilot Road 2 and it's wearing much better. My thoughts are it's the tire and not necessarily anything with the bike. But come to think of it, I did a fork rebuild about 4k miles ago but already had probably at least 2k on the tire before doing that. Had a motorcycle mechanic tell me the V-rated tires and above are very sensitive to inflation pressures.

Not that many miles, I'm guessing but I'd say less than 5000, probably for sure less than 5000. I always keep my pressure at the higher end of the scale.

My memory seems to think I've had issues with a Avon before......

FJmonkey · August 06, 2012, 06:02:10 PM

I tended to wear out my Avon front evenly on both sides. Not sure how you are doing this. Is the other tire doing the same?
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=287.msg2088#msg2088

fj11.5 · August 06, 2012, 06:28:32 PM

maybe the shape of the road crown

markmartin · August 06, 2012, 06:53:24 PM

Just a thought. Do you have the tires balanced when they are mounted?

FJ Flyer · August 06, 2012, 07:07:07 PM

Avons are known for spotty quality control. I've had good luck with their rear tires, but its been hit or miss with the fronts. May be a monday or friday set of tires.

racerman_27410 · August 06, 2012, 07:13:27 PM

Contact Avon and see if they will do anything for you..... there is nothing that a motorcycle/rider can do to make a tire look like that.

First and foremost....tires are supposed to be round.

KOokaloo!

Harvy · August 06, 2012, 07:50:14 PM

What Frank said! That tire looks like you are riding around r/h corners continuously. Get onto Avon - send them your photos. There is for sure something amiss with that tire.

Harvy

movenon · August 06, 2012, 08:19:06 PM

Wow... I find it hard to blame the tire. But.. I would check everything with a fine tooth comb. Check your rear tire alinement with the front. Somewhere I read where they were using a couple of cheap laser levels to check the rear to front tire alinement. There is a lot that can go wrong between the rear and front end. Check head bearings, and forks of course. It helps to make as many right as left hand turns, hee, hee

. Hope you locate the problem. Wish I knew more to contribute.

motohorseman · August 06, 2012, 09:22:27 PM

Quote from: markmartin on August 06, 2012, 06:53:24 PM
Just a thought. Do you have the tires balanced when they are mounted?

I mount and balance my own tires - have for the past decade or so.....

This is a new problem to me. After working at 2 dealerships, I want to blame the tire, but.....

As soon as I can make the time, I'll start checking the bike.

One spot, I never would of noticed if it was not in the exact right position, glad I did, I tend to ride hard, and a blow front is the worst of the worst IMO....

andyb · August 06, 2012, 09:34:42 PM

I've had a tire do that. One fork leg was dry, one was filled with sludge. Happened to a metzler, I think.

BSI · August 06, 2012, 10:25:54 PM

I'm with Frank and Harvey, I can't figure how anything else other than the tire or maybe it's relationship with the rim could cause that...if there's some evil forces coming from bike that creates issues at the contact point of tire and the road, wouldn't it affect the tire's contact 360 degrees instead of only when that 10% section came around?...have you made sure the tire bead is evenly set all the way around the rim?...good luck, I hope Avon get's you a new tire

FJSpringy · August 07, 2012, 04:55:31 AM

I had a PR2 do that years ago, was just a crap tyre, all my other PR2's have been fine.

FJmonkey · August 07, 2012, 07:01:19 AM

After taking a second look at your tires and considering my personal experience with Avon's I think I can offer some additional advice. You really need to hit the corners more. I tend to leave some life on the top part of the tire. For some reason they put more tread there making it the thicker part of the tire. But I don't commute with my FJ, I find the shortest route to the twisty roads and enjoy.

So, if you can find a way to stay off the straight roads then you might never have discovered this current and bizarre wear problem you are having. Ride around the problem by having more fun leaned over. Just remember, advice is is not always worth what you paid for it, and free advice is....well possibly worth less that what you paid, even if came from a monkey dressed up in a Red Power Ranger suit....

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Front End Follies